Ryan Heinsius

Executive Producer/Local Content Manager

Cindy Carpien/NPR

Ryan joined the KNAU staff as newscast manager in 2013. He’s covered a broad range of stories from local and state politics to environment, education and economic issues. He’s also covered wildfire in northern Arizona, including the 2014 Slide Fire that became the largest in the history of the Coconino National Forest. From time to time, Ryan interviews both internationally known and regional musicians, and he’s a regular contributor to NPR News and National Native News.

Before making the leap to public radio, Ryan spent a decade working in print media. As the editor of an alternative-weekly paper, he covered arts, entertainment and local culture and dabbled in political writing with a weekly column.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University in political science and journalism, and in the past has returned to teach at his alma mater.

Ryan is also a Flagstaff-based musician and has performed and recorded with many bands in the Southwest. He spends as much time as possible with his wife and daughter hiking and cycling the amazing terrain of northern Arizona.

Ways to Connect

Arizona voters head to the polls Tue, Nov. 8 for the 2016 U.S. general election. The primary focus this election, of course, is the presidential race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party Candidate Jill Stein also appear on the ballot.

Voters on the Navajo Nation could be asked to decide next Tuesday on an initiative that would pump $216 million into tribal road maintenance. Arizona Public Radio’s Ryan Heinsius reports, the Navajo Council recently passed the bill aimed at improving non-paved roads throughout the reservation.

As recently as September, Republican Arizona Senator Jeff Flake had left open the possibility of voting for his party’s presidential nominee, Donald Trump. Now, with less than a week before the election, the senator says he’ll instead vote for an unnamed write-in candidate. Arizona Public Radio’s Ryan Heinsius reports.

State officials have cleared three uranium mines near the Grand Canyon to continue operations. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality recently approved new air-pollution permits for the mines close to the canyon’s North and South rims. Arizona Public Radio’s Ryan Heinsius reports.